From my own experience with the Madison protests, I have to come firmly down on the side of those who argue that social media help make events like Madison feasible for a number of reasons:

1. Social media are particularly powerful in helping people share the experience of protest, despite distance. When I was out of town during the first week of the protests, social media – and Twitter in particular – helped me feel like I was part of the protests. I checked my Twitter feed religiously to not only get news stories about what was happening, but to get my friends’ personal experiences at the protests. When I returned, I was able to head to the Capitol feeling confident about what to expect.

2. Twitter and Facebook were important informational tools during the protests. When I was at the Capitol, I would often check my social media connections for information: Were people getting in? What doors were open? Updates from the police? as well as providing the same information myself to others. Further, people tweeting from different parts of the protest could offer unique perspectives. For example, I went to protest Walker’s announcement of his budget – which meant I couldn’t hear what he was saying. But my friends were tweeting about the press conference, so I could stay informed about what he was saying and doing while we chanted “Let us in!” outside our own Capitol building.

Of course, those opposing the protesters also recognized the importance of social media. When I got the “emergency” notification of Republicans’ actions, I immediately went to the Capitol. And as I was waiting with a huge crowd to get through security, one police officer told us that we would be required to turn off mobile technology that accessed the Internet. Needless to say, few complied, nor did I see it enforced. However, the fact they were trying to get people to eliminate their ability to go online from within the Capitol is striking.

I cannot condemn the trend – I’m definitely part of it. Yet like Dave, I believe blogs should continue to play an important role, both in our media diet and in encouraging expression. Blogs require much more reflection and cohesion than a short Facebook or Twitter post, even if they aren’t as immediate. So at the risk of not always being able to practice what I preach, I encourage people to continue blogging – not just micro-blogging – and consuming blogs as part of their social media diet.

Ultimately, social media cannot create a “revolution” or a protest on their own. But they can – and do – contribute to a successful effort. Using social media well becomes an increasingly important part of social activism, and one we have to understand.